The Properties · November 2026 · 2 min read
Three houses to take in 2027
There is a particular pleasure in having a house entirely to yourselves. The best private houses offer something that even the finest hotels cannot quite replicate: a sense of belonging, a natural rhythm to the days and the freedom to make a place your own.
For a group, the choice of house matters enormously. The number of bedrooms is only the starting point. The layout, the balance of private and shared spaces, the setting and the people looking after the property all shape the experience. These three houses have very different personalities, and each makes a compelling case for a gathering in 2027.
Villa La Cassinella, Lake Como, Italy
Lake Como has no shortage of beautiful villas, but few have the sense of seclusion offered by La Cassinella. Set on the western shore, close to Lenno, the estate occupies a stretch of waterfront that is largely hidden from view. Arrival is by a short boat journey from the opposite shore, which immediately changes the pace of things. The lake becomes part of the experience before you have even reached the house.
The estate dates back to the nineteenth century and is arranged across three hectares of gardens. The main villa sits alongside a guest house and a pool house, with seven bedrooms in total for up to fourteen guests. It is a relatively intimate proposition, which is precisely where its appeal lies. This is a house for a family or close group of friends who value privacy and want to spend proper time together, rather than a large celebration requiring extensive event space.
The gardens are an important part of the setting. There is a heated pool, tennis court and direct access to the water, while the various buildings give the house a little more flexibility than a single villa. The lake itself provides the obvious invitation to explore: the villages of Lenno, Bellagio and Varenna are best approached by boat, and there is a great deal to be said for seeing the shoreline from the water rather than spending too much time in summer traffic.
My advice would be to plan a stay around the lake rather than treating the villa as a base for a packed itinerary. A private boat, a leisurely lunch in one of the lakeside villages and time spent at the house will make a far more satisfying few days than trying to see everything. The boat access is part of the charm, but it is also something to factor into the arrangements for guests with mobility requirements or those arriving with significant luggage.
La Cassinella is best suited to a group that wants a beautiful, discreet setting and the pleasure of having its own corner of the lake.
Arijiju, Borana Conservancy, Kenya
Arijiju is a rather different kind of private house. Set into the landscape of Kenya's Laikipia region, within the Borana Conservancy, it was conceived as a family home with a strong connection to the land around it. Its architecture draws on local building traditions and the forms of neighbouring Ethiopian monasteries. Stone walls, a living roof and a low profile allow the house to sit remarkably quietly within its surroundings.
There are five suites, arranged across the main house and two separate cottages, making it a particularly interesting option for a family or small group travelling together. The interiors are tactile and considered, with handcrafted furniture, linen, leather and open fireplaces. Large windows draw the landscape into the rooms, and the position of the house has been carefully chosen to make the most of the changing light and views towards Mount Kenya.
What makes Arijiju especially compelling, however, is its setting. Laikipia is one of Kenya's most important wildlife regions, and Borana plays a significant role in the protection of endangered species, particularly black rhino. The conservancy's work includes wildlife monitoring, migration corridors and community initiatives. Arijiju's tourism model contributes directly to this wider conservation effort, so a stay has a connection to the place that goes beyond the safari experience itself.
Days here should be shaped around the landscape. Game drives with knowledgeable guides are central, but there is also the opportunity to explore on foot, spend time with the conservation teams and understand more about the work taking place across the conservancy. The house has a strong team of resident staff, including guides, rangers, chefs and butlers, and the experience is designed around the people staying there.
I would particularly recommend Arijiju to a group with a genuine interest in wildlife and conservation, rather than someone simply looking for a beautiful safari lodge. Its private-house format gives the stay a more personal feel, and the five-suite arrangement makes it especially well suited to multi-generational family travel. It is also worth remembering that Laikipia is a substantial journey in its own right. The route and any onward connections should be considered as part of the overall itinerary, rather than an afterthought.
Kinross House, Perthshire, Scotland
Kinross House has a different kind of distinction. Designed by Sir William Bruce and begun in 1685, it is regarded as one of Scotland's most important Palladian mansions. Its position beside Loch Leven was carefully conceived: the house looks directly towards Loch Leven Castle, where Mary, Queen of Scots was imprisoned in 1567 before making her escape across the water.
The relationship between the house, the gardens and the castle is what makes the setting so interesting. Bruce began shaping the landscape before construction of the mansion itself, creating a carefully composed view that has endured for more than three centuries. It is a property with genuine architectural and historical significance, rather than simply a handsome country house.
The main house has fourteen en-suite bedrooms for up to twenty-eight guests. The adjacent Coach House provides a further ten bedrooms and its own spa, making the estate suitable for larger gatherings when both buildings are taken together. The reception rooms are arranged for entertaining, with a sequence of drawing rooms and formal spaces that gives a stay a sense of occasion without requiring an elaborate programme.
Its location is another advantage. Kinross is within reach of both Edinburgh and St Andrews, making it possible to combine time at the estate with visits to the city, the coast or the golf courses of Fife. There is also plenty to occupy guests closer to home, with the loch, gardens and surrounding countryside providing a natural focus.
For a group interested in architecture, history and a distinctly Scottish setting, Kinross has considerable appeal. I would consider it particularly carefully for a milestone celebration or a gathering where guests may appreciate a little more structure and a sense of occasion. The main house and Coach House also offer useful flexibility for groups who want to be together while retaining some separation between family units or generations.
These are three very different houses, and that is perhaps the point. The right choice is rarely a question of which property has the longest list of facilities. It is about understanding the people travelling, the atmosphere they want to create and the sort of place that will make the time together memorable.
